The training course costs $249. You’ll get lifetime access to all the tools you need to self-train your dog, saving you thousands of dollars compared to hiring a trainer.

Nothing! We’ll cover everything you need to know, start to finish.

The course is intended to teach you how to teach your dog to be a psychiatric service dog. Over the course of 10 sections, we’ll cover everything you need, start to finish. Everything is online, so you can work at your own pace and according to your own schedule. At the end of each section, you’ll complete a multiple choice review quiz, and at the end of the course, you’ll have a slightly longer course overview quiz. Once completed, we’ll give you a certificate of completion that you can print out and frame or keep with you to show you’ve completed the course.

If you need to reset your password, you can do so by visiting the course website and following the instructions provided here: Resetting Your Password

Once your pet is trained as a PSD and you have received a letter from a doctor recommending a PSD, you’ll be able to:

• Enjoy your dog’s comfort anywhere you go
• Travel with your dog on airlines, trains, and any other public or private transportation you would be able to access on your own.
• Feel secure that your dog is legally allowed to accompany you
• Take your dog to restaurants, shopping, and events

No. It doesn’t hurt to be thinking about it, but as you progress through the course, we’ll explain some of the most common tasks PSDs perform and how they can help with a variety of psychiatric conditions. We’ll also help you think through the ways your dog helps and how you can then train your dog to perform the most helpful task.

The form to complete in order to fly with your PSD is found at the DOT website. 

NOTE: When filling out the form, remember that your dog is self-trained, so the trainer will be listed as “self”. Because ICTI trains dog owners how to train their dogs, misrepresentation of this training can result in your dog’s removal from an aircraft.

No. Unfortunately, because only dogs can be psychiatric service dogs, this course is geared specifically for training dogs. In the course we discuss the reasons dogs are best-suited for this role.

Dogs are the only animals that can be trained as PSDs. While in some situations miniature horses have been trained as service animals, psychiatric service dogs are specifically dogs only.

Although there are no tests legally required for a PSD, we strongly recommend taking a general public access test, such as the Canine Good Citizens test through the American Kennel Club. These tests are conducted in person, and by passing one, you are able to show proof that your training was successful and your dog is trained to behave appropriately in public.

Keep working! The goal of this course is to give you the tools you need to train your dog, but training your dog is an ongoing process. If there are certain things your dog is struggling with, review the course lessons that cover that skill. Start from the very beginning and don’t make it more difficult until your dog is performing the task 100% of the time. And make sure you only add steps little by little so your dog doesn’t become overwhelmed. Training your dog as a PSD will take lots of time and work. With lots of practice, reflection, patience, and encouragement, your dog will get there.

There are a wide variety of public access tests available, but the most reputable is the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test through the American Kennel Club. To find the nearest CGC evaluator, visit the AKC website here.